READING 04

Although stage plays have been set to music since the era of the ancient Greeks, when
the dramas of Sophocles and Aeschylus were accompanied by lyres and flutes, the usually
accepted date for the beginning of opera as we know it is 1600. as part of the celebration of
the marriage of King Henry IV of France to the Italian aristocrat Maria de Medici, the
Florentine composer Jacopo Peri produced his famous Eurydice, generally considered to be
the first opera. Following his example, a group of Italian musicians, poets, and noblemen
called the Camerata began to revive the style of musical story that had been used in Greek
tragedy. The Camerata took most of the plots for their operas from Greek and Roman history
and mythology, writing librettos or dramas for music. They called their compositions opera in
musica or musical works. It is from this phrase that the word opera is borrowed.
For several years, the center of opera was Florence, but gradually, during the baroque
period, it spread throughout Italy. By the late 1600s, operas were being written and performed
in Europe, especially in England, France and Germany. But, for many years, the Italian opera
was considered the ideal, and many non-Italian composers continued to use Italian librettos.
The European from de-emphasized the dramatic aspect. New orchestral effects and even
ballet were introduced under the guise of opera. Composers gave in to the demands of singers,
writing many operas that were nothing more than a succession of brilliant tricks for the voice.
Complicated arias, recitatives, and duets evolved. The aria, which is a long solo, may be
compared to a song in which the characters express their thoughts and feelings. The recitative,
which is also a solo, is a recitation set to music whose purpose is to continue the story line.
The duet is a musical piece written for two voices which may serve the function of either an
aria or a recitative.
1. The passage is a summary of
a)
b)
c)
d)

opera in Italy
the Camerata
the development of opera
Euridice

2. According to this passage, when did modern opera begin?

a)
b)
c)
d)

In the time of the ancient Greeks

In the fifteenth century
At the beginning of the sixteenth century
At the beginning of the seventeenth century

3. The word it refers to

a)
b)
c)
d)

opera
date
era
music

4. According to the author, what did Jacopo Peri write?

a) Greek tragedy
b) The first opera

c) The opera Maria de Medici

d) The opera The Cameraia
5. The author suggests that Eurydice was produced
a)
b)
c)
d)

in France
originally by Sophocles and Aeschylus
without much success
for the wedding of King Henry IV

6. What was the Camerata?

a)
b)
c)
d)

A group of Greek musicians

Musicians who developed a new musical drama based upon Greek drama
A style of music not known in Italy
The name given to the court of King Henry IV

7. The word revive could best be replaced by

a)
b)
c)
d)

appreciate
resume
modify
investigate

8. The word plots is closest in meaning to

a)
b)
c)
d)

locations
instruments
stories
inspiration

9. From what did the term opera derive?

a)
b)
c)
d)

Greek and Roman history and mythology

Non- Italian composers
The Italian phrase the means musical works
The ideas of composer Jacopo Peri

10. Which of the following is an example of a solo?

a)
b)
c)
d)

A recitative
A duet
An opera
A lyre

ANSWERS:
1. C
2. D
3. A

6. B
7. B
8. C

4. B
5. D

9. C
10. A